Car-friendly Tories’ U-turn over ‘low carbon travel’

20 September 2007

A Conservative Government should address local authorities’ shortage of revenue funding to allow them ‘to promote low carbon travel’, according to a party policy review.

The ‘quality of life’ policy review, lead by former environment secretary, John Gummer, advocates that local transport plans focus more on reducing travel emissions, as opposed to reducing journey time delay.

This would be achieved by seeking to increase revenue funding for ‘smart choices’, such as the promotion of walking and cycling, car sharing and teleworking, including a special ‘carbon reduction fund’.

Despite the fact that such measures could cut peak urban traffic by 20% over 10 years, ‘they are held back by lack of appropriate funding, political support and skills shortages’, the shadow cabinet was advised. The current financing arrangements discourage initiatives such as workplace travel plans, which require an ongoing, revenue-funded staff commitment.

A move away from road-building solutions would also be aided by the Government overhauling the cost-benefit analysis to place less value on car traveller time.

‘Every transport minister knows that expanding road capacity simply generates more traffic,’ the document warns.

The review contrasts sharply with the John Redwood-chaired economic competitiveness policy review, which urges £4bn extra annual investment for strategic road upgrades, and a £10bn programme for local roads.

The new emphasis that the Conservatives were urged to adopt in their next general election manifesto would, however, require ‘the broadening of skills set within local transport planning departments, developing capacity for delivering soft modes’. Living Streets policy co-ordinator, Rob Cann, welcomed the report from the ‘traditionally car-friendly party’.

But he warned that there was still a significant role for traditional engineering-led, capital-funded schemes. ‘The report advocates more pedestrianisation – and that requires capital investment,’ he cautioned.

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Car-friendly Tories’ U-turn over ‘low carbon travel’

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